RE: Breezing Through Beer in Brussels, Belgium
I've been to Finland over 20 times, but usually only for a day at a time. They have really oppressive, statewide rules that drive prices up and nearly everything is regulated. It's like the socialist dream. Lots of relatively happy poor people who live in small boxes (apartments), drink excessively, fight a lot, and commit suicide (some of the highest rates in the world). There is some cool stuff to see, fortresses from the middle ages, beautiful forests and rivers, and shops that sell stuff I can't get in Russia. However, it is BORING after you get past the, "wow, that's a pretty lake" part of the visit. Then I went to Finland with Russians. Russians on vacation know how to have fun. First time was at a lake house in November up North with about 20 of us. We had a great time and of course didn't interact with the Finns. Every time since, I have gone only with Russians and we have a really fun time for a couple days. It's really only good for a few days. The irony is that Russians love to visit Finland especially to shop.
That was just fascinating to read, especially since Facebook seems to have been on a campaign lately to convince us all of the vast superiority of the Scandinavian economic systems...at least I've been getting random "suggested" ads or posts to that effect.
Interestingly, that sounds like what I used to read about the Soviet Union and Communism, minus people getting shipped off to Siberia. I remember reading Ekaterina Gordeeva's memoir and how she described the endless wait lists for apartments and difficulty getting things, and what it was like to travel to the US and Canada in contrast.
Fortunately, there aren't a whole lot of lines for consumer goods in Finland. Also, I would suggest that they are very different than the Swedish and Norwegian economies, but not when it comes to prices. Denmark is it's own story. However, the tax rate in all these countries is about 1/2 your income and that doesn't include the "effective tax rate" (includes all taxes from regulation, sales, value added, etc.). The waiting lines are for public "freebies", but also public restrooms in which you have to pay to pee (a lot of that in Europe). I love to visit all the Scandinavian countries, but only visit. I could never imagine living in any of them - so expensive for basic things.